Factors Contributing to Hospital Acquired Anemia among Critical Ill Patients *

Abstract

Background: Hospital acquired anemia (HAA) is one of the most common intensive care unit (ICU) acquired complications that associated with poor outcomes, increase morbidity and mortality for critically ill patients. Factors contribute to its development include profound loss of RBCs or insufficient RBCs production. Aim of the study: to assess factors contributing to HAA among critical ill patients. Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Setting: The study was carried in Beni –Suief university hospital inside the critical care units which include; general ICU, cardio care unit (CCU) and chest ICU. Study subjects: purposive sample of 75newly admitted adult critically ill patients to the above mentioned sitting was included in the study. Data collection tools: Data were obtained through patients assessment tool, factors contributing to HAA and indicators of HAA tool. Results: reveals that, nearly one third of studied patients their age were more than or equal fifty years. As regard to gender, the results revealed that, more than half of them were males, nearly one third of anemic patients had HAA in the 5th day from admission to hospital. As well more than three quarter of anemic patients were under feeding and more than one third of them had sepsis, in addition to mean amount of blood loss for anemic patients exceed amount of blood loss for non anemic patients. Conclusion: More than half of studied patients developed HAA during their ICU stay. Even, non-anemic patients were subjected to a decline in their Hb level. As well as, there were statistically significant relation between nutrition deficiency, sepsis, blood loss in ICU and drugs increase RBCs loss factors and occurrence of HAA. Also there were insignificant relation between demographic characteristic of studied patients, their diagnosis on admission to hospital, hemodilution, drugs affect RBCs production and occurrence of HAA. Recommendations: Designing in-service training and educational program for nurses about blood conversation strategies especially prevention of blood loss associated invasive procedure and phlebotomy practice.